No two weeks look the same for Evie Kamevaar. She’s juggling a Biomedical Science degree, a job as a Pharmacy Dispensary Technician and two horses that are both headed for Melbourne International Three-Day-Event (MI3DE) this long weekend.
Any one of those things alone is impressive, but Evie does them all and does them well.
“She is very disciplined,” says mum Shelley, who herself is no stranger to elite level competition, having previously represented Australia in Mountain Biking for over a decade.
Between five days of university classes, six days of riding and varying hours at her job, there isn’t time for much else, but she makes the most of every minute, “studying in the passenger seat while Mum drives to and from each competition.”
Evie works the riding in around everything else in her schedule. “Sometimes she rides in the morning, or at night, sometimes even in the middle of the day, depending on what else is going on,” says Shelley. Six days a week is a lot of work, but worth it to know “that they’re both as fit and ready as they can possibly be.”
On the very rare occasion that Evie does take a break, and do a normal 20-year-old thing such as going on a trip with mates, Shelley lends a hand. “Mum and her own friends keep the boys ticking over while I’m gone,” explains Evie.
It’s a real team effort and Evie is grateful to have a lot of support, including from La Trobe University, where she is part of the Elite Athlete program. “They’re really flexible with my riding and competing and adapt things to suit my schedule.”
So is her work, who understands how time consuming and unpredictable a life with horses can be, as does her boyfriend, Campbell.
Getting two horses to Melbourne is a huge effort, especially when you consider that both Sahara Heat (Ralph) and MP Chevrolet (Chevy) had only competed at EvA80 and EvA95, respectively, when Evie first partnered with them.
She made her Melbourne debut with Ralph, an OTT, in 2022 in the CCI2*L Junior, accelerating up the levels from Grade 3 Pony Club to CCI2* in less than two years. This year, they’ll take on their second CCI3*L, having recently completed Adelaide in May. “He’s so solid on cross country and I’m keen to have another experience at three-star in a long format with him.”
Melbourne will be “the first big, major event” for Chevy, a Warmblood x Thoroughbred, purchased from Jess Somerfield two years ago. He will compete in the CCI2*L Young Rider/Junior division where Evie hopes “he has a great run and experience with things like spectators and a big atmosphere before he is aimed at three-star in the second half of the year.”
To make things even more interesting, both horses “aren’t even slightly similar” to ride, but Evie knows them so well that she adjusts easily between the two.
Melbourne is a special event on the calendar and the pinnacle of the season. “It’s what we’re always working towards the whole time and it’s a great way to finish it off,” says Evie.
Shelley, understandably, thinks Evie is amazing, as does her Dad, Rick. Heading into this weekend they’re “excited and hopeful” of good runs and a great time, especially in a sport “that has the most ups and downs of any”.
Evie has certainly inherited a love of the adrenaline rush from Mum, and despite the nerves Shelley sometimes gets on cross country day, one of the greatest parts is that she gets “an even bigger buzz watching her out there, doing her thing” than she even got herself when competing.
To achieve any level of sporting and academic success usually requires a reasonable amount of talent. But when you combine that with dedication, determination, and discipline, you get Evie Kamevaar.
